Canadian Health Food Association Supports Harper Government's Commission to Cut Red Tape Surrounding Natural Health Products

CHFA held photo op cutting symbolic red tape on the steps of Parliament Hill

OTTAWA, Feb. 8, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) today delivered "Getting Natural Health Products Regulations Right," a detailed response to the Harper government's Red Tape Reduction Report.  CHFA President, Helen Sherrard, presented the report during a press conference on Parliament Hill followed by a symbolic cutting of red tape on the steps of Centre Block.

"The Red Tape Reduction Commission's report is a rallying call to the 73 per cent of Canadians who choose the benefits of natural health products as part of a balanced, healthy lifestyle," said Association President, Helen Sherrard.  "It also recognizes the long-time concerns of natural health product retailers and suppliers that red tape is killing both Canadian innovation in natural health products and thousands of jobs in an industry that contributes three billion dollars per year to the Canadian economy."

The Red Tape Reduction Commission contained extensive recommendations calling for the smart regulation of natural health products.  CHFA along with its 1,000+ members in the natural health products industry are calling for collaborative action with Parliamentarians to establish an action plan for an efficient and predictable regulatory environment for NHPs to ensure the future health of Canadians.

CHFA also applauded the Red Tape Reduction Commission's One-for-One Rule which states that every time the government proposes a new regulation, it must eliminate an existing one.  The Association supports the Commission's proposal to give the Office of the Auditor General of Canada the mandate of reviewing and reporting on the government's progress in reducing regulatory administrative burden.

Natural health products include vitamins and minerals, herbal remedies, homeopathic medicines, traditional medicines, probiotics and other products like amino acids and essential fatty acids. The importance of these products was identified in a recent Ipsos Reid Omnibus survey that found 80 per cent of natural health product users indicated these products were "very or somewhat important" to their families.

CHFA President, Helen Sherrard will present the formal response to the Minister of Small Business, the Hon. Maxime Bernier, later today. "Minister Bernier comes from an entrepreneurial region and that is reflected in this report," added Sherrard. "We applaud the Prime Minister, his team and the Commissioners for listening to Canadians concerned about the appropriate level of regulation for natural health products. Now we are joining with the Harper Government and urging them to act on implementing the Red Tape Reduction Commission's action plan so Canadian Consumers have access to safe, high quality and effective natural health products."

The Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) is Canada's largest national trade association dedicated to the natural health and organic products industries. Representing manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, distributors, and importers of natural health products, the Canadian Health Food Association has 1,000 members who contribute three billion dollars to the Canadian economy annually.   For more information on CHFA and the natural health products industry visit www.chfa.ca

For more information, to obtain a copy of the "Getting Natural Health Products Regulations Right" report or to arrange an interview with President, Helen Sherrard please contact:

Michelle Book
Canadian Health Food Association
416-497-6939 ex. 230
[email protected]